The Kaleva Games in Lahti 27.–30.7. Urheilu follows the events in this article. On Saturday, the broadcast of Puhe starts at 15:45, the broadcast of TV2 and Areena at 17:25.
The men’s 100m was one of the clearest early favorites of the Kaleva Games in Lahti. Samuli Samuelsson set a Finnish record of 10.12 in June, and no Finn has managed to beat him this summer. But just like that Santeri Örn got a dream start and kept his lead until the finish line.
Örn celebrated the championship raucously at the Lahti stadium. The biggest surprise of the Kaleva Games so far was the man himself. The winning time of 10.38 is only 0.02 seconds behind Örn’s record. What makes the result particularly hard is that the headwind during the run was 0.8 meters per second.
– Yes, it was an incredible feeling. When I started sprinting at the age of 15, I didn’t know that I would ever experience such a feeling. Back then, it was a big deal to make it to the junnu SM championships, and now we are certainly Finnish champions. It feels pretty good, Örn rejoiced shortly after his victory.
Örn’s sporting background is diverse. When he was younger, he played floorball, among other things. In the 14- and 15-year-old athletics championships, he did not participate in the sprints, but in the shot put and shot put. In the shot put, even the SM medal was close, as Örn was fourth in the 15-year-old boys’ series.
At the age of 15, Örn got a former long jumper from Polvijärvi Athletes as his coach Jarno Tenhusenwho noticed in the first joint exercises that there is still work to be done in basic matters.
– The first time we practiced how to set up the racks. The times were quite good considering the training background. Now he has reduced his training years enough that the results are starting to show, Tenhunen said.
– Since 2018, Santeri has started training more seriously.
“Real” is probably the wrong word to describe Örn and Tehnune’s collaboration.
– Yes, he has a good sense of humor and is a really outgoing guy. A hard trainee as well, who has always had a good work ethic, Tenhunen describes.
Even the podium start, which was still in demand in 2015, is going excellently today, as was seen in Friday night’s final. A good start combined with a flying step and a good maximum speed means that the result can be tough.
– In good weather, he will definitely be able to improve his record this season, Tenhunen said.
The difficulties have increased
Örn, who received his Bachelor of Commerce papers from the University of Eastern Finland in the spring, has not progressed in a straight line to become the champion of Finland. According to Tenhusen, the major ankle surgery performed in 2019 practically took two summer seasons and slowed development.
Even last fall, Örn was on the sidelines for a long time due to injury, and such a strong comeback the following summer didn’t seem very realistic at times.
– Father’s greetings at home. He has said that difficulties breed. That must have happened then, Örn said.
Örn and Tenhusen’s nearly decade-long collaboration in the Joensuu athletics hall continues. Nothing is likely to change.
– One good feature of him is that he remains humble even in these moments, says Tenhunen.
The Polvijärvi Athletes’ relay team, starred by Örn, which achieved silver at the WC last year, will next improve their condition for the fall WC relays.
SE man Samuli Samuelsson is the only Finnish male sprinter who had a chance to make it to the World Championships in Budapest. However, he would have needed an improvement from the Kaleva Games for his ranking pot. Second place and a time of 10.45 did not bring that.
According to Tenhusen, the Finnish championship this season is a big milestone for Örn.
– Last year, the first medal at the home games was a great thing. Samuli is a tough competitor, this was his first victory. The fact that Samuli has run so hard this season increases the value of the championship. Resistance was now very possible.
With these prospects, Samuelsson and Örn will also meet in the 200 meters on Sunday. There is also a Finnish record holder Samuel Purolawho defends the SM gold.
The Kaleva Games in Lahti 27.–30.7. Urheilu follows the events in this article. On Saturday, the broadcast of Puhe starts at 15:45, the broadcast of TV2 and Areena at 17:25.